Getting your teeth pulled out or your tooth extracted might become necessary for several reasons. Most commonly, your tooth pulls out when it is severely damaged or decayed.
Sometimes tooth removal may also become necessary because the teeth are overcrowded or have alignment issues. Although tooth extraction is a simple and safe procedure, the initial recovery period from surgery can take some time. Keep scrolling to find out how to take care of a pulled-out tooth and how long it takes for the extraction site to heal.
Why are teeth pulled out?
A tooth extraction is when the dentist removes your tooth from its socket. Dentists always try to save the natural tooth with dental fillings and crowns. However, sometimes the therapeutic techniques cannot save the badly infected or damaged tooth.
Taking care of a pulled-out tooth
If you just got your teeth pulled out, then here’s what you need to do:
Apply pressure
Once you get your teeth pulled out, try to bite firmly on the gauze because the pressure will help in blood clot formation. Moreover, it will also help to control bleeding. Still, some bleeding might be a few hours after tooth extraction.
Use an ice pack
You may experience some swelling after getting your teeth pulled out. If that’s the case, use an ice pack on your cheek near the extraction area to reduce swelling.
Take pain medications
You can ask your dentist to prescribe you an over-the-counter pain reliever if you experience pain after the procedure.
Tips to Heal the Extraction Site After Getting Your Teeth Pulled Out
Keep the extraction site clean by gently rinsing your mouth using salt dissolved in water.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Consume soft and healthy food.
- Avoid brushing around the extraction site.
- Avoid using a straw, as it can dislodge the blood clot.
- Don’t smoke.
Healing after tooth extraction
A tooth extraction site’s healing process may take a few weeks to at least three months. Here is what you can expect after getting your teeth pulled out.
24 hours after the tooth extraction
In the starting 24 hours after getting your teeth pulled out, your bleeding stops, and the blood clot forms in your tooth socket. However, it is worth mentioning to you that you will experience some bleeding or pain during this stage.
1-2 days after tooth extraction
The healing process starts 1-2 days after tooth extraction. At this stage, your tooth socket is going through intense healing, but it is normal to have some bleeding at the extraction site.
3-5 days after tooth extraction
Three days after the tooth extraction, the bleeding and swelling will stop. There will be no pain or discomfort, but you may feel tenderness around the extraction site.
7-8 days after tooth extraction
After seven days, you will have a fully developed blood clot in the tooth socket. And the stitches will be removed, if any. You won’t experience any discomfort or bleeding at this stage but call your dentist immediately if you experience these symptoms.
Three weeks or one month after tooth extraction
The entire healing process will be completed 3 to 4 weeks after the tooth extraction. At this stage, you must gently clean the extraction site so that you can stop any debris or food particles from accumulating in your socket.
Tooth extraction in Bendigo, VIC, Australia.
Integrated Smiles offers the best dental services for patients in Bendigo, VIC, Australia. Contact our customer service today to schedule your appointment if you want to get your teeth pulled out.